State Of Utah All-Time Super Bowl Team
Feb 1, 2020, 4:34 PM | Updated: Feb 3, 2021, 1:04 pm
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Players and coaches with ties to the state of Utah have had an impact on the Super Bowl from the very beginning.
Former University of Utah tight end Marv Fleming was a starter for the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl I and II and won a total of two rings with the Packers and Dolphins.
On Sunday, February 7, locals Daniel Sorensen, Darwin Thompson, Marcus Kemp, Andy Reid, Alex Whittingham, and Porter Ellett of the Kansas City Chiefs will have a chance to leave their mark on the biggest stage in sports for the second straight season.
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To honor that history we have compiled a Utah All-Time Super Bowl Team to recognize the best performances from locals in the Super Bowl over the years.
Quarterbacks
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Steve Young (BYU)
Steve Young had to patiently wait for his moment to shine in the Super Bowl but when he got the chance he left his mark. He carved up the Chargers defense completing 24 of 36 passes for 325 yards and a Super Bowl-record six touchdowns that still stands today. He didn’t throw an interception and also ran the ball 5 times for 49 yards leading the 49ers to a 49-26 win in Super Bowl XXIX.
Six touchdown passes in the Super Bowl.
On this day in 1995, Steve Young shut up everyone who thought he couldn't win the big game. @49ers pic.twitter.com/yLpCC7WpR2
— NFL Throwback (@nflthrowback) January 29, 2019
Jim McMahon (BYU, Roy HS)
The 1985 Chicago Bears defense is considered to be the greatest of all-time. Their dominance overshadowed how well Jim McMahon played in Super Bowl XX. McMahon was 12 of 20 for 256 yards passing and scored two touchdowns on the ground in a 46-10 win over the Patriots. He also won a ring as Brett Favre’s backup with the Packers in Super Bowl XXXI
Running Backs
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Jamal Anderson (Utah)
Former Utah running back Jamal Anderson went from a 7th round draft pick to pro bowl running back in 1998. He led the NFC in rushing with 410 carries for 1846 yards and 14 touchdowns. The Falcons upset the 15-1 Vikings to reach Super Bowl XXXIII against the Denver Broncos. Jamal rushed for 96 yards and caught 3 passes for 16 yards in a 34-19 loss.
Carl Monroe (Utah)
Another Ute played a key role in a Super Bowl. Monroe made his greatest impact for the 1984 49ers as a kick returner. In Super Bowl XIX he caught a pass from Joe Montana and took it 33 yards for a touchdown. The 49ers beat the Dolphins 38-16
Honorable mention: Robert Turbin (Utah State) Seahawks Super Bowls XLVIII and XLIX.
Wide Receivers
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Steve Smith (Utah)
Steve had a breakout season for the Panthers in 2003 and capped it off with a great performance in the Super Bowl. He caught four passes for 80 yards including a 39-yard touchdown and came heartbreakingly close to a Super Bowl ring.
TO. THE. HOUSE. 🏠
On this day in 2004, Steve Smith and Jake Delhomme combined for this double-overtime TD as the @Panthers made their way to the Super Bowl. #NFL100 (🎥 @NFL) pic.twitter.com/sianJ9N3zx
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) January 10, 2020
Kevin Dyson (Utah, Clearfield HS)
Kevin caught four passes for 41 yards in the Titans 23-16 loss to the Rams in Super Bowl XXXIV and was involved in one of the most memorable plays in Super Bowl history. He caught a pass from Steve McNair as time ran out and stretched for the goal line for a score that could have sent the game to overtime but came up inches short.
Roy Jefferson (Utah)
Former Ute receiver Roy Jefferson was the Baltimore Colts leading receiver in 1970 and helped the Colts reach Super Bowl V against the Cowboys. When he got there he caught 3 passes for 52 yards in the 16-13 win. He also played for the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl VII
Honorable Mention: Golden Richards (BYU, Granite HS) Cowboys Super Bowl XII, Austin Collie (BYU) Colts, Super Bowl XLIV.
Tight Ends
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Marv Fleming (Utah)
Former Utah tight end Marv Fleming won five NFL Championships in his 12-year career, four of those titles were Super Bowls. He was a starting tight end for the Packers in Super Bowls I and II. He won two more Super Bowl rings with the Miami Dolphins and was a member of the 1972 Dolphins that went 17-0. He played in five of the first eight Super Bowls.
Dennis Pitta (BYU)
Former BYU tight end Dennis Pitta caught four passes for 26 yards including a 1-yard touchdown in the 2nd quarter of Super Bowl XLVII. He helped the Ravens defeat the 49ers 34-31.
DYK: Dennis Pitta was the most recent Cougar to win a Super Bowl ring (2013 Baltimore Ravens Super Bowl VLLII) #SB49 pic.twitter.com/vlo4Cigimw
— BYU Cougars (@BYUCougars) February 2, 2015
Honorable Mention: Todd Christensen (BYU) Raiders Super Bowls XV and XVIII, Doug Jolley (BYU, Dixie HS) Raiders, Super Bowl XXXVIII, Alfred Pupunu (Weber State, South HS) Chargers Super Bowl XXIX, Bruce Hardy (Bingham HS) Dolphins, Super Bowls XVII and XIX
Offensive Line
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Bart Oates (BYU)
After winning two USFL championships with the Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars the former BYU offensive lineman would go on to be the starting center for three Super Bowl champions. He won Super Bowls with the New York Giants in Super Bowls XXI and XXV and won a ring with the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XXIX
Gordon Gravelle (BYU)
The former BYU offensive lineman was part of the Pittsburgh Steelers dynasty in the 1970s and won two rings. He was the starting tackle for the Steelers in Super Bowl IX and X and lost to his former Steelers teammates as a member of the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl XIV.
Chris Kemoeatu (Utah)
Former Ute All-American Chris Kemoeatu was the starting left guard for the Pittsburgh Steelers in two Super Bowls winning a ring in Super Bowl XLIII
Jordan Gross (Utah)
Jordan was a starting tackle for the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl XXXVIII in a season where he only allowed three sacks
John Tait (BYU)
John Tait started 139 games at tackle in 10 NFL seasons which included Super Bowl XLI with the Chicago Bears.
Zane Beadles (Utah, Hillcrest HS)
Beadles was the starting left guard for the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII and would make the Pro Bowl the following season.
Barry Sims (Utah, Park City HS)
Sims played a decade in the NFL and was the starting left tackle for the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XXXVII
Defensive Line
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Manny Fernandez (Utah)
Fernandez was an undrafted defensive end out of Utah but went on to become one of the all-time great Miami Dolphins. He played in three consecutive Super Bowls winning rings with the Dolphins in Super Bowls XVII and XVIII. Many believe he should have been the MVP of Super Bowl XVII after making 17 tackles and a sack as a nose tackle. He followed that up the following season with 5 tackles and a sack in Super Bowl XVIII. Manny was a key member of the 1972 Dolphins that went 17-0.
Jason Buck (BYU)
Buck played in two Super Bowls, one with the Bengals in Super Bowl XXIII, and then won a ring with the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XXVI. He had a total of two sacks in his two appearances.
Paul Kruger (Utah, Timpanogos HS)
Former Ute Paul Kruger had one of the best games of his NFL career in Super Bowl XLVII. He made three tackles and two key sacks of Colin Kaepernick in the red zone. Those sacks held the 49ers to field goals instead of touchdowns helping the Ravens win Super Bowl XLVII 34-31.
Brett Keisel (BYU)
Keisel won two rings with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He made three tackles including one for a loss in Super Bowl XL then, as a starter in Super Bowl XLIII he had 5 tackles, a fumble recovery and a quarterback hit in the Steelers 27-23 win over the Cardinals. He also had 3 tackles and a quarterback hit in a loss to the Packers in Super Bowl XLV.
Brett Keisel: 2005 Super Bowl Run Wouldn’t Have Happened Without Cowher’s Leadership – ~ #Steelers https://t.co/fsGnQOUAMW
— Steelers Depot 🎄 (@Steelersdepot) January 14, 2020
Haloti Ngata (Highland HS)
The future NFL hall of famer made one Super Bowl appearance and helped the Ravens win Super Bowl XLVII.
Rulon Jones (Utah State, Weber HS)
Rulon Jones was the AFC defensive player of the year in 1986 and played in consecutive Super Bowls for the Denver Broncos in 1986 and 1987. He had a sack in Super Bowl XXII.
Honorable Mention: Greg Kragen (Utah State) Broncos Super Bowl XXI, XXII, XXIV, Sealver Siliga (Utah, Cooper Hills HS) Patriots Super Bowl XLIX, Travis Hall (BYU, West Jordan HS) Falcons Super Bowl XXXIII , Mat Mendenhall (BYU, East HS) Redskins Super Bowl XVII, Lionel Aldridge (Utah State) Packers Super Bowls I and II, Chris Hoke (BYU), Steelers, Super Bowls XL, XLIII, XLV.
Linebackers
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Bobby Wagner (Utah State)
Bobby won a Super Bowl ring with the Seahawks and came heartbreakingly close to a second one. He had 10 tackles in the Seahawks 43-8 win over the Broncos in Super Bowl XLVIII. The following year he led the Seahawks with 12 tackles and intercepted a Tom Brady pass in a 28-24 loss to the Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX.
Russell Wilson, Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright are the last remaining starters from the Seahawks' two Super Bowl teams.@bcondotta on the road back to a third: https://t.co/rHuDkiiAbf
— The Seattle Times (@seattletimes) September 5, 2019
Kyle Van Noy (BYU)
Kyle is a two-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots. He had half a sack in the Patriots 34-28 come from behind win in Super Bowl LI. The following year he had 5 tackles, 1 for a loss, and a QB hit in the Patriots 41-33 loss to the Eagles in Super Bowl LII. In his third consecutive Super Bowl he had a sack, 4 tackles and 3 quarterback hits in the Patriots 13-3 win over the Rams in Super Bowl LIII.
Kyle Van Noy calls the trade that sent him to New England a blessing and reflects on back-to-back trips to the Super Bowl with the Patriots #BYU #Patriots #PatriotsNation #SuperBowl pic.twitter.com/RRhhaeNVYh
— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) January 31, 2018
Kurt Gouveia (BYU)
Gouveia won a national championship at BYU and went on to win two Super Bowl rings in the NFL. He was a member of the Washington Redskins who beat the Broncos 42-10 in Super Bowl XXII. He was the starting middle linebacker for the Redskins five years later and intercepted a Jim Kelly pass and returned it 26 yards in a 37-24 win over the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXVI
1 interception 26 yards.
Rob Morris (BYU)
Morris was the starting strong-side linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLI. He had 4 tackles in the 29-17 win over the Chicago Bears.
Honorable mention: Leon White (BYU) Bengals Super Bowl XXII.
Defensive Backs
Eric Rowe (Utah)
Eric is a two-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots. He made 4 tackles and broke up a pass in the Patriots 34-28 overtime win over the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI. He was a starter in Super Bowl LII and broke up two passes and made four tackles in the 41-33 loss to the Eagles. He was a member of the Patriots Super Bowl LIII championship team but did not play in the game due to injury.
Andre Dyson (Utah, Clearfield HS)
Dyson was the starting left cornerback for the Seattle Seahawks in a 21-10 loss to the Steelers in Super Bowl XL.
Jarrett Bush (Utah State)
An injury gave Bush a chance to play a key role for the Packers in Super Bowl XLV and he took advantage of the opportunity. He had five tackles and intercepted a Ben Roethlisberger pass in the 2nd quarter that turned out to be a key play in the Packers 31-25 win over the Steelers.
Cornell Green (Utah State)
Green was a star basketball player at Utah State but made the successful transition to the NFL playing 13 seasons, 15 playoff games and was named to five pro bowls. He was the starting safety for the Dallas Cowboys in a Super Bowl V loss to the Colts. He won a ring with the Cowboys in Super Bowl VI making three tackles in a 24-3 win over the Dolphins.
Daryl Pollard (Weber State)
Pollard won two Super Bowls as part of the great San Francisco 49ers dynasty in the 80’s. He played on special teams in Super Bowl XXIII and recovered a John Taylor fumble that turned out to be an important play in a very close game. The next season he started at cornerback for the 49ers in Super Bowl XXIV and sacked John Elway in the 49ers 55-10 win.
Punter
Lee Johnson (BYU)
Johnson was the punter for the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl XXIII and set a Super Bowl record with a 63 yard punt in the 20-16 loss to the 49ers. His record stood for 26 years until Patriots punter Ryan Allen had a 64-yard punt in Super Bowl XLIX. Lee earned a Super Bowl ring late in his career with the Patriots.
Former BYU kicker Lee Johnson still holds the Super Bowl record for longest punt (63 yards) in SB XXIII #SBatSB49 pic.twitter.com/6kEqIgeLFv
— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) February 1, 2015
Kicker
Jim Turner (Utah State)
The former Utah State Aggie kicker had one of the greatest individual performances by a kicker in Super Bowl history. He scored 10 points on three field goals and an extra point in the Jets upset of the Colts in Super Bowl III. He would get back to the Super Bowl nearly a decade later as the kicker for the Denver Broncos. He kicked a field goal and an extra point in the Broncos Super Bowl XII loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
Head Coach
George Seifert
Seifert had the tough task of replacing a legend. He took over as the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers when Bill Walsh stepped down after the 1988 season. He did so brilliantly leading the 49ers to wins in Super Bowls XXIV and XXIX. He was a part of five Super Bowl championships with the 49ers as an assistant or head coach. Seifert played college football at Utah. He was a graduate assistant with the Utes in 1964 and head coach at Westminster College in 1965
Andy Reid
The former BYU lineman is no stranger to the Super Bowl. He served as an assistant coach on Mike Holmgren’s Super Bowl XXXI winning team. As a head coach in Super Bowl XXXIX, Reid and the Philadelphia Eagles fell to Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. Last season in Super Bowl LIV, he finally captured a ring as a head coach. Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers. On Sunday, February 7, Reid will try to repeat as a Super Bowl champ against Brady’s new team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. If the Chiefs win, it will be the NFL’s first repeat champion since Brady’s Patriots won back-to-back titles in 2004-05.
Andy Reid gets his ring! Next stop, Canton. One of the great head coaches in NFL history is now a Super Bowl Champion.
"Cheeseburgers for everyone!"#SuperBowl #BYU #ChiefsKingdom https://t.co/mswkFuB8kZ pic.twitter.com/UejNS3WWYf
— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) February 3, 2020
Honorable Mention: Brian Billick (BYU player) Ravens Super Bowl XXXV, Super Bowls XXXIX and LIV, Jim Fassel (Utah) Super Bowl XXXV, Mike Holmgren (BYU) Packers and Seahawks Super Bowls XXXI, XXXII, XL.